Skip to main content

practicing the scales

In his book, Invisible God, author Phillip Yancey uses an illustration from practicing piano to illustrate why it’s important to pay attention to fundamentals: “I do not play the scales for their own sake, but in order to play the grander pieces I must build on the daily mastery of the ordinary.”

The daily mastery of the ordinary.

This is important lesson across many facets of life.  Athletes know that to compete at a high level they must operate from a strong foundation of basic habits. Though an accountant may use Excel and pivot tables, many decisions often return to a basic understanding of addition and subtraction.

When it comes to maintaining momentum in your spiritual life, it requires building on a daily mastery of the ordinary. The most gifted athletes practice.  The most skilled musicians practice.  People who mature in their faith have learned to practice the fundamentals of their faith.

Maturing believers know they must practice good habits because the Bible teaches we reap what we sow.  Athletes who could have been great practice, too.  They just practice the different habits — sleeping in, staying up late, not watching what they eat.

The point is: we’re always practicing something, be it good or not so good.

What are you practicing?